2002 Statistics

written by Todd Helmick

During the 2002 spring game, Maryland's future took a huge step back when promising star QB Chris Kelley went down with torn knee ligaments and the reigns were handed to the inexperienced Scott McBrien. To contend with other matters, RB sensation Bruce Perry just never could regain his health and the Terps were left with hard questions at the two most crucial positions on offense. Scott McBrien started out the fall looking confused in Friedgen's system, at times looking like he would never be able to lead this team to greater heights. Wait, isn't this Ralph Friedgen we are talking about? A coach who has bought QB after QB and made them into perennial All-Americans, dating back to his Joe Hamilton/George Godsey days at Georgia Tech, which preceded his triumphant Terrapin debut with Shaun Hill. Needless to say, now senior Scott McBrien has become a man. He is not exactly the type of passer that will garnish big time recognition with Heisman-like numbers. But given the offensive system, which is predicated on having at least one open receiver on any given play, McBrien's strength comes from being able to read and find the right guy. Watching McBrien develop with each snap speaks volumes about this offense and its coaches.

Adding to hopes this preseason is the return of RB Bruce Perry. He finally worked his way into the lineup towards the close of the regular season after battling some multiple injury bugs. You have not seen the last of Perry - his numbers from 2001 were so eye opening that they awarded him lofty All-American status heading into last fall. Only a junior, his continued contributions are one of the main reasons this team is being touted so highly in this preseason. Even if his health again becomes questionable, depth exists at this spot with names like Josh Allen, Mario Merrills, and Jason Crawford - all three managed significant 2002 playing opportunities. The FB spot is another story. A big shock came when huge James Lynch declared early for the NFL paired with senior Chad Killian departing. We will have to keep you updated on the progress here, as any name penciled in at this point would be pure speculation.

Over the past decade of defeats, the UM receiving unit has been absent. The Terps needed to catch up, and catch up they did. This unit is now a vital strength. Count on kick/punt returner extraordinaire Steve Suter to deliver at WR with his excellent speed. Possibly the most gifted athlete on the field comes back in converted-QB-to-WR Latrez Harrison. Returning leading receiver Jafar Williams provides Maryland with a stacked deck from which now game tested Scott McBrien can deal. This group could easily wind up one of the best in the ACC once the hand is played out. Young talent is abounding to boot, and this will be a big spring in terms of starters holding off the gifted newcomers, a no-lose situation for Friedgen.

If you are going to look for the few holes that exist on this team from top to bottom, the OL just may be where to look. This unit experienced the most turnover. The big question now pertains to locating (2) new starters and then adding depth, a connected problem also prevalent in 2002. Coached well, last year's OL earned RBs a 4.7 yards-per-carry average and allowed only 21 sacks. UM has three returning starters (see depth chart), but after that, locating qualified new faces may be tough. The biggest concern is finding a center to replace All-American Todd Wike, but more important is the glaring lack of depth. Recruiting these positions was top priority, which apparently was met with the new signees. If some of the reserves fail to hold their spot in the line-up, true freshman may impact the depth chart, which only supports the problems afore mentioned. Fortunately for Maryland, big All-ACC TE Jeff Dugan (6-4, 261 lbs.) returns. He may not get mentioned with the bigger names, but he consistently grades out as one of the best blockers week-to-week.

TB Bruce Perry

written by Todd Helmick

Maryland is for crabs as Terrapin football is for defense - abundant. The defense came up big in 2002 when, early on, the offense struggled. Granted Butkus Award winner and tackling machine E.J. Henderson is finally gone from grounding the middle of the defense, but don't think his departure leaves a gaping hole …this group remains stellar.

The highest grades get handed out to the front-seven, starting with the LBs. The outside spots in this aggressive 4-3 alignment return two highly tested seniors. The most experienced, Leroy Ambush on the strong side, plays the run with the best of them and finds little difficulty in winning battles with bigger TEs. Replacing E.J.'s numbers won't be difficult when done through committee. On the other side, Leon Joe is versatile enough to laterally overlap into the middle when needed, a huge blessing. Odds point to Joe back at MLB, a position at which he practiced last spring when EJ was out from back surgery. Anyone watching him play there can tell you he too is the real deal. Depth at LB is plentiful - keep an eye on our post-spring updates with the many young candidates, really too many quality athletes exist at LB, another good problem to have. POST-SPRING UPDATE: It appears the need to find a replacement for E.J. Henderson at MLB has been taken care of. Soph D'Qwell Jackson looks like he will be the man after he earned the job with a solid spring outing,.

The front wall, too, is loaded with proven veterans. Most opponents will need to key on DT Randy Starks. His play earned him a reputation as a top inside player, a fact supported by his First Team All-ACC selection and probable mention on several All-American lists for 2003. This strong down-unit allows the shifty LBs to usually roam free of blockers. An opening exists at one of the DE spots. A huge bonus would be the addition of highly touted Michael Whaley returning from grade issues. Sources say Whaley will not participate this spring as he concentrates on the books. Should he return by fall, all hell will break loose.

The defense's Achilles Heel through Friedgen's two victorious seasons has been the secondary. The entire past decade reeks of disappointments at DB. That is slowly changing, and 2003's secondary may be his best yet. All four defensive backfield starters return, including NationalChamps.net All-American Domonique Foxworth. Overwhelming experience (3 seniors, 1 junior) and talent mean CB Curome Cox and FS Madieu Williams have had their names thrown onto some preseason All-American lists, too. Of course, this promise still only exists on paper. All odds point to a promising defensive campaign…only time will tell for sure. The bar is set for measuring this year's unit - 2002's group allowed 16.3 points-per-game and a scant 25 TDs, numbers this group is capable of bettering.

CB Domonique Foxworth